Quality of Life of Testicular Cancer Survivors

Men who are diagnosed with testicular cancer are generally young. As a consequence of the treatment they receive nowadays, they are likely to cure from the disease, even when they have metastases. This means that they have to live with possible short- and long-term sequel of diagnosis and treatment for many years. Survivors who do not have the resources necessary to cope with such physical and psychosocial sequel, may find it more difficult to adjust to their altered life situation and experience an impaired quality of life. These men might need professional assistance to enhance their skills to competently manage their lives as a cancer survivor. Yet, how do health care providers know which testicular cancer survivor is at risk for distress and might benefit from an intervention? Therefore, it is needed to investigate factors predictive of quality of life, in order to detect and refer at risk individuals to an appropriate intervention. The aim of this thesis was to examine the quality of life of testicular cancer survivors and to identify risk factors for an impaired quality of life. Zie: Summar

Quality of Life, Sexual Functioning, and Physical Functioning Following Perineal Reconstruction with the Lotus Petal Flap

BACKGROUND: Lotus petal flaps (LPF) may be used for the reconstruction of extralevator abdominoperineal defects that cannot be closed primarily. Limited data are available on how perineal reconstruction with the LPF impacts on patients' quality of life (QoL), sexual functioning, and physical functioning. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed following perineal reconstruction with the LPF. The QoL of patients having undergone LPF reconstruction was compared with a control group in which perineal defects were closed without flaps. Sexual and physical functioning (presence of perineal herniation and range of motion [ROM] of the hip joints) could only be evaluated in the LPF group. Psychometrically sound questionnaires were used. Physical functioning was evaluated subjectively with binary questions and objectively by physical examination. RESULTS: Of the 23 patients asked to participate, 15 (65%) completed the questionnaires and 11 (47%) underwent physical examination. In the control group, 16 patients were included. There were no significant differences in QoL between the LPF and control groups. Within the LPF group, 33% of patients were sexually active postoperatively compared with 87% preoperatively. No perineal herniation was found. The ROM of the hip joints was bilaterally smaller compared with the generally accepted values. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions should be made with care given the small sample size. Despite a supposedly larger resection area in the LPF group, QoL was comparable in both groups. Nonetheless, reconstruction seemed to affect sexual function and physical function, not hampering overall satisfaction

Why Do Adult Patients With Cancer Not Seek Help for Their Depressive Symptoms?:The Role of Illness Perceptions, Coping, and Social Support

Background: Up to 75% of cancer patients with depressive symptoms do not make use of psychological care.Objective: To examine how perceptions of and coping with depressive symptoms and perceived social support in adults with cancer are associated with their need for psychological care, concurrently and over time.Methods: In this longitudinal study, 127 participants who received a cancer diagnosis in the past 5 years, experienced at least moderate depressive symptoms, and were not receiving psychological help, completed 2 self-report questionnaires (3 months apart) including the brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory and Social Support List.Results: Participants with stronger belief in the efficacy of psychological care and more likely to use avoidant coping reported a greater need for psychological care at both data points. Social support was not significantly associated with perceived need for psychological care.Conclusions: Stronger perceived treatment control and greater use of avoidant coping were significantly associated with a greater perceived need for psychological care.Implications for practice: People with cancer may benefit from being informed about the efficacy of depression treatment. Furthermore, health care professionals should be aware that avoidant coping may complicate psychological care seeking for a group of adults with cancer experiencing depressive symptoms and having a need for psychological care.Foundational: Illness perceptions and coping mechanisms can predict cancer patients’ need for psychological care. Providing information about treatment options and its efficacy, together with targeting avoidant coping may increase adequate decision-making and possibly the uptake of psychological care

Systemic constellations applied in organisations:a systematic review

This article-published in the Journal Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation.- presents a systematic overview of the current empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the systemic constellation method when applied in organisations. Although the systemic constellation method is increasingly used for team coaching, organisational development and transformation processes, among others, scientific evidence on the effectiveness and quality of this method is still scarce. This may hamper the broader implementation of a potentially useful approach. Altogether, ten electronic databases were searched up to January, 2020. Multiple languages, qualitative and quantitative designs, and academic and grey literature were included. The search resulted in the identification of 79 potentially relevant publications, seven of which were prospective and 13 were retrospective effectiveness studies in terms of organisational outcomes. Only two of the seven prospective studies used a controlled design. This review concludes that the empirical evidence on the systemic organisational constellation method points toward a potentially effective intervention in the organisational context. However, it is too early to make firm conclusions as the number of studies was small and quality of the studies was low in general. The present systematic review summarises the literature on the systemic constellation method applied in organisations. It offers coaches and consultants insights into the method from a scientific perspective and describes potential mechanisms of action regarding the intervention. The results of the review provide a solid basis for future research and give directions for new studies to support quality improvement and help us better understand the factors influencing effectiveness

Identifying Patients with COPD in Need for Psychosocial Care Through Screening with the HSCL-25 and the CCQ Mental State

High levels of psychological distress are documented in patients with COPD. This study investigates the extent to which patients with a high score on the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) or with a high score on the Mental State scale of the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) endorse a need for psychosocial care, and investigates several characteristics of patients with a need. Outpatients with COPD of the Department of Pulmonary Diseases of a University Medical Center were assessed with the HSCL-25, CCQ and a question on need for psychosocial care. For patients indicating a need, the percentage of patients with HSCL-25 ≥39 was compared with the percentage of patients with CCQ Mental State >2 and tested with a Chi-square. In total 323 patients participated; 57% of them were distressed according to the HSCL-25 (≥39) and 20% according to the CCQ Mental State (>2); 28% reported a need for psychosocial care. For patients reporting a need for psychosocial care a higher percentage was identified by the HSCL-25 than by the CCQ Mental State (χ2 = 9.41, p <. 002) and they were younger than patients without a need (t = 4.48, p <. 001). No differences existed for sex, FEV1, FEV1% predicted or medical comorbidities. The HSCL-25 identified more patients in need than the CCQ Mental State scale. However, not all patients with a need were identified. No relationship was found between need for psychosocial care and illness variables or comorbidities. Distress screening is questioned as the most effective way to identity patients with COPD in need for psychosocial care

Seasonal patterns in mindfulness in people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Background: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a well-known, effective treatment in the prevention of relapse in Major Depression Disorder (MDD). However, a recent study in people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) showed that MBCT given in spring was ineffective in preventing a next depressive episode. To test the hypothesis that people with SAD may experience sufficient levels of mindfulness in spring and therefore less benefit from MBCT, this study examines variations in levels of mindfulness over seasons. Methods: This longitudinal prospective study followed 77 people with SAD over a two-year period. Participants filled out a self-report questionnaire, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) on a quarterly basis. Results: Levels of mindfulness differed throughout the seasons, with overall results suggesting lower levels of mindfulness in winter. Limitations: The results are limited by the small sample size and varying levels of mindfulness over the two years of the study period. Conclusion: Findings suggest a seasonal component in levels of mindfulness exists, implying that people with SAD are less mindful during the winter compared to other seasons. Future research is needed to examine to what extent the motivation of people with SAD to participate in MBCT and benefit from it is higher in the winter